Child pensions

On the death of an SSS contributor, benefits are payable to eligible children. An eligible child is a child of the deceased member or member's spouse or de facto partner who is under age 18 or, where the child is enrolled in full-time study with an approved educational institution, between the ages of 18 and 25.

The benefit paid for each child is generally a fortnightly pension which is payable to the surviving parent or guardian of the child.

Benefits payable where deceased is not survived by an eligible spouse

On the death of a contributor who is not survived by an eligible spouse but is survived by an eligible child, the benefit payable is either:

• a lump sum equal to the deceased's withdrawal benefit from the scheme, or
• a refund of the deceased's personal contributions paid to SSS plus a fortnightly pension for each eligible child.

These benefits are paid to the legal personal representative of the deceased SSS member.

Child pensions include annual cost-of-living adjustments, based on movements in the Consumer Price (All Groups Sydney) Index. For more information, please refer to SSS Fact Sheet 12: Child pensions.